Speaking of MIA, where was Cory Gardner?

Update:Rep. Nancy Todd said she was misquoted and she would never suggest another lawmaker resign.
State Rep. Cory Gardner missed Military Appreciation Day at the Capitol because he was in Washington for his congressional campaign, a move Democrats blasted.

Rep. Nancy Todd, D-Aurora, a key organizer of Military Appreciation Day, was shocked that Gardner missed the event.

“Today was also 4-H Day and Rep. Gardner represents such a rural district,” she said. “We’re elected to be here. If he wants to run his campaign, he should resign.”

Gardner, a Yuma Republican, is vying for the GOP nomination in the 4th Congressional District, and a chance to unseat first-term Democrat Betsy Markey.

Gardner noted that he co-sponsored all of the military resolutions introduced today.

“Are these the same Democrats whose Secretary of Homeland Security put veterans on the terrorist watch list?” he said, referring to a 2009 report.

Political consultant Mike Ciletti said Gardner was in D.C. to “meet with folks interested in the 4th CD, interested in Colorado, folks interested in change in Washington.”

Michael Huttner, founded of the liberal group ProgressNow Colorado, said if a Democrat had missed Military Appreciation Day for D.C. campaign events, Republicans would be “going nuts.”

“It’s a slap in the face to the men and women in uniform for Gardner to put his personal ambition ahead of his current job of serving his constitutents,” Huttner said.

Said Pat Waak, chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party: “Rep. Cory Gardner needs to decide whether he is going to represent the voters on the Eastern Plains of Colorado, including veterans and their families, who elected him, or pursue his own personal interests in a different office to which he has not been elected.”

“His constituents should be outraged,” she said.

Gardner issued a statement today praising the military and noting his efforts on their behalf:

Gardner has long been an avid supporter of our military and reminded a crowd on Veterans day last November that “while millions have defended our country in battles from the Spanish-American War, Vietnam, Korea, and Desert Storm, today, men and women from our nation continue to fight for our freedom in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Cory, you need to put your priorities in order! Words cannot discribe the anger and disrespect you have given to the Military and people in the 4 H Day. Today was Military Appreciation Day and 4 H Day at the State Capital and you were NOT THERE!! Instead you were in DC working on your personal ambition. Looks like the Cart before the horse to me. What happened to your staff in not alerting you to this important event to your constituents? Were you all out to lunch? You have lost my support and respect. I hope others join me in supporting a canidate who knows how to support his constituents and its NOT Cory Gardner.

Proud American

Oh, the fake outrage by Michael Huttner and Pat Weak is laughable considering neither one of them can stand military personnel in the first place. I wonder if Pat Waak has found someone new to break out the windows at the Colorado DNC HQs? Michael and Pat what exactly were the two of you doing to show your support of the Military, while you sit behind closed doors calling military personnel murderers and 'Baby killers'?…. Where's the outrage over representatives from 'ProgressNow Colorado' calling people 'racists' and 'un-American' because of their objection to Obamacare, and these same representatives from ProgressNow Colorado objecting to Obamacare because it didn't have a public option as part Obama health care reform bill? More of the same from the double standard democrats/progressives in Colorado!

brett11551

This is really news? I live in Cory's district, I can tell you that Cory is a genuine guy who represents us very well. I don't get how this is 'personal ambition' the man is running to represent the people of CD-4 which includes his current house district. If he was off on a vacation in Hawaii then I would be pissed. But he is working to give us a louder voice is DC. To say that Cory doesn't care about vets is simply ignorant. Come talk to the vets in Yuma, we'll set you Denverites straight. Until then stay out of our business. He works for us NOT YOU.

Proud American

Oh, the fake outrage by Michael Huttner and Pat Weak is laughable considering neither one of them can stand military personnel in the first place. I wonder if Pat Waak has found someone new to break out the windows at the Colorado DNC HQs? Michael and Pat what exactly were the two of you doing to show your support of the Military, while you sit behind closed doors calling military personnel murderers and 'Baby killers'?…. Where's the outrage over representatives from 'ProgressNow Colorado' calling people 'racists' and 'un-American' because of their objection to Obamacare, and these same representatives from ProgressNow Colorado objecting to Obamacare because it didn't have a public option as part Obama health care reform bill? More of the same from the double standard democrats/progressives in Colorado!

Guest

This is really news? I live in Cory's district, I can tell you that Cory is a genuine guy who represents us very well. I don't get how this is 'personal ambition' the man is running to represent the people of CD-4 which includes his current house district. If he was off on a vacation in Hawaii then I would be pissed. But he is working to give us a louder voice is DC. To say that Cory doesn't care about vets is simply ignorant. Come talk to the vets in Yuma, we'll set you Denverites straight. Until then stay out of our business. He works for us NOT YOU.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.